Human Clan Defender

Exiled Immortal Valley!

Rumors once told of an immortal who came from beyond the skies, fell into the mortal realm, and in doing so, created a vast valley. This valley came to be known as Exiled Immortal Valley.

Later, an Ancient Court heard news of the immortal. They inquired about the immortal's appearance from nearby villagers and eventually sent people to carve a huge stone sculpture within Exiled Immortal Valley, modeled after the immortal's likeness. Thereafter, the Imperial Court would have people come to the valley day and night to strike at the statue, hoping to obtain the immortal's protection. But, regrettably, by the time the Ancient Court had fallen, no one had seen the immortal appear.

As time went by, news of the immortal gradually subsided. The stone sculpture of the immortal within Exiled Immortal Valley was no longer worshiped by anyone. As the years passed, Exiled Immortal Valley became overgrown with weeds, a gathering place for various venomous insects and Fierce Beasts, and thus even fewer people ventured into this place.

But now things were different. The once scarcely-visited Exiled Immortal Valley was now gathering quite a crowd. There were monks, Taoist priests, young women, as well as elderly men and women. Each wore a solemn expression, gazing at the tall statue before them. Or, to be more precise, they were looking towards the statue's right palm.

「——」

Outside Exiled Immortal Valley, Xun Qu was the first to stop. He waited in place for nearly four hours before he finally saw Shen Changqing's figure.

"Elder Shen is not slow either," he said, a smile playing on his lips, seemingly pleased with his superior Qinggong.

Shen Changqing's expression didn't change as he calmly said, "Defender Xun's Qinggong is remarkable. I admit defeat!"

He lost! And he had lost thoroughly! For over two days of continuous travel, he had not managed to catch even a glimpse of Xun Qu. Not until now, when the other party had stopped, did he barely manage to sense him. For the first time, Shen Changqing felt his Qinggong was so lacking. If he had the choice, he would definitely devote more effort to improve in this area in the future.

Xun Qu shook his head with a wry smile. "Elder Shen, you need not belittle yourself. With such strength at your age, you already stand proud among your peers. If you were top-notch in every aspect, that would be a bit too monstrous.

"Besides, I have immersed myself in the Martial Dao for decades and have some insights into Qinggong.

"Elder Shen's Qinggong, when compared to others, is truly exceptional."

After offering his praise, Xun Qu looked towards the tall stone sculpture ahead. "Elder Shen, look, that is the stone statue of Exiled Immortal Valley. It has stood for over a thousand years, created by people dispatched by an Ancient Court before the Great Qin era, said to be sculpted after the immortal's likeness. But whether it's true or not, who can say?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing followed Xun Qu's gaze. He had already noticed the statue from afar. The statue was enormous. Even from a great distance, one could clearly see its outline. Now, upon drawing closer, he could better appreciate the statue's height. Even so, the features carved on the statue's face were clear and detailed. One could see an almost lifelike expression in its brows, and the slightly upturned corners of its mouth suggested an immortal looking down upon the world with a knowing smile.

"It seems this immortal was a Taoist," Shen Changqing said. He could identify the statue's affiliation because he saw the headpiece it wore: a Pure Yang Scarf. The Pure Yang Scarf was a hallmark of the Taoist Sect.

Xun Qu shook his head. "Who knows? It's hard to say if the immortal was even real, let alone whether the Taoist Sect was flourishing back then."

Matters from over a thousand years ago were impossible to verify. The Great Qin itself only has a history of about three hundred years, let alone anything predating it.

"Elder Shen, follow me," Xun Qu said, then his figure moved, heading towards the upper regions of Exiled Immortal Valley. Exiled Immortal Valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the statue was constructed against the mountain in front.

Seeing this, Shen Changqing also moved, following Xun Qu to a platform on the mountain to the left of the valley. From there, one could overlook the entire Exiled Immortal Valley, taking in everything at a glance. He also saw the people gathered below in the valley.

At the same time, the people below in the valley also noticed the presence of Shen Changqing and Xun Qu. However, upon seeing Xun Qu's face, some people's expressions changed slightly, and they averted their gaze, daring not to meet his eyes again.

"People from the Demon-Subduing Division of Mountain-Breaking City have arrived!"

"If I'm not mistaken, that person should be Xun Qu."

"And who is that standing next to Defender Xun?"

"Who knows? Anyone who comes personally with the Defender Envoy must also be a formidable expert from the Demon-Subduing Division—"

Within the valley, people whispered among themselves. Xun Qu was the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture and had a well-known reputation. In the Jianghu of South Nether Prefecture, anyone of some renown could more or less recognize Xun Qu.

The whispers below were faint, and Shen Changqing could only just catch bits and pieces. Xun Qu didn't care at all. Instead, he looked at the statue in front of him, pointing at the palm of its right hand, which rested across its chest. "Elder Shen, do you see the palm of the statue's right hand?"

"I see it," Shen Changqing nodded. At first glance, there was nothing remarkable about the right palm of the stone statue, but a careful look revealed a faint glow that seemed slightly unreal.

Xun Qu said, "That is the entrance to the Heavenly Realm. In just over a day, the Heavenly Realm will open again. Each person will appear in a different location upon entering.

"Therefore, once inside, Elder Shen, it's highly probable that you and I will be separated.

"If we do part ways, you should seek your own fortunes. But should we happen to meet, we can then join forces again."

The entry points into the Heavenly Realm are not fixed? Shen Changqing suddenly understood and nodded in response to Xun Qu's words. "No problem."

"Elder Shen, take good care of this item; it might come in handy," Xun Qu said, pulling out a palm-sized booklet from his bosom.

Shen Changqing took the booklet and noticed its material was somewhat special, seemingly woven from silk.

Seeing his confusion, Xun Qu explained, "This booklet records all the celestial materials and treasures in the Heavenly Realm known to the Demon-Subduing Division. With this in hand, if you come across any celestial materials or treasures you don't recognize, you can refer to it for an introduction.

"However, there are numerous celestial materials and treasures in the Heavenly Realm, and this booklet cannot possibly record all of them.

"As for what to do specifically, Elder Shen, you will need to adapt to the situation."

At this point, Xun Qu paused slightly. "Additionally, aside from celestial materials and treasures, there are many dangers in the Heavenly Realm. Any celestial material or treasure could be accompanied by peril, so Elder Shen, when collecting them, you must be cautious of possible Fierce Beasts lurking nearby.

"The other danger comes from the people who enter the Heavenly Realm.

"I believe Elder Shen has some experience with this and doesn't need me to remind him too much in that regard."

"Thank you very much!" Shen Changqing received the booklet and expressed his gratitude earnestly. He could tell that Xun Qu genuinely wanted to repay the favor. Otherwise, just informing him about the Heavenly Realm would have sufficed; there was no need to give him an extra booklet to identify celestial materials and treasures, nor to say so much.

The scene then quieted down. The people at the bottom of the valley did not converse, nor did Shen Changqing and Xun Qu. All eyes were fixed on the stone statue.

Because they were standing at a higher vantage point, Shen Changqing was able to examine the stone statue to a great extent. It had to be said, upon closer observation, the lifelike artistry of the stone statue became even more apparent. However, the gesture of the statue's hands was quite different from the Taoist hand signs he remembered: one hand was placed horizontally in front of the body while the other was raised as if pinching a flower. Such a posture seemed less Taoist and more Buddhist. Yet, the Pure Yang Scarf on its head was indeed a Taoist item.

Clearly, the person who sculpted the statue must have been confused. It wouldn't matter if there were no immortals. But if there truly were, they would probably descend in thunderous fury at such a depiction!

Time passed. Xun Qu stood still, as if turned to stone. Shen Changqing, however, simply sat cross-legged, silently restoring his condition, nurturing it to a true peak.

「The next day.」

There was no significant change in the stone statue. But just as the sun began to rise, Heaven and Earth Purple Qi began to drift in, causing the nebulous glow in the palm of the statue's right hand to become noticeably brighter, a trend that seemed to intensify.

Seizing the opportunity, many people from the Jianghu sat cross-legged, circulating their Inner Strength to absorb the Heaven and Earth Purple Qi for their cultivation. From their practiced actions, it was clear this wasn't their first time doing so.

"Such rich Purple Qi!" Shen Changqing was shocked to see the Heaven and Earth Purple Qi drawn by the statue, lingering thickly without dispersing. In the past, when he absorbed Heaven and Earth Purple Qi, there was only a faint wisp that vanished in an instant. Compared to the current sight of Purple Qi, as thick as smoke and lingering indefinitely, there was simply no comparison.

Without hesitation, he immediately circulated the Great Sun Scripture and began to absorb the Heaven and Earth Purple Qi.

In that instant, the Great Sun Golden Core in his Dantian trembled lightly. As Shen Changqing's mouth opened slightly, a terrifying Suction Power arose from nowhere. Like a whale swallowing the sea, it drew the Purple Qi hovering around the statue frantically in one direction.

"What's going on!"

"HISS!"

Those from the Jianghu who had intended to absorb the Purple Qi for cultivation were stunned to see it surging in another direction, leaving them dumbfounded. Witnessing Shen Changqing devour the Purple Qi made them especially envious.

Heaven and Earth Purple Qi is precious. This is something everyone knows. Before the Heavenly Realm truly opened, the daily appearance of Heaven and Earth Purple Qi was an exceptionally precious treasure. These people from the Jianghu would come here punctually every day to absorb the Purple Qi for cultivation, to strengthen themselves. But now, not a trace was left; Shen Changqing had seized it all.

Such an act naturally shocked and angered them. They were shocked that Shen Changqing's methods were so astonishing that he could snatch all the Purple Qi from right under their noses. They were angered because all of it had been taken.

However—upon seeing Xun Qu near Shen Changqing, everyone quelled their inner rage. Clashing with the Demon-Subduing Division over a bit of Heaven and Earth Purple Qi was not worth it.